JAIF Coaching Clinic Strengthens Timor-Leste’s Capacity for ASEAN Cooperation Projects

DILI, 20 August 2026 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) of Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) Management Team (JMT) and the ASEAN Secretariat, successfully concluded a three-day JAIF Coaching Clinic in Dili today.

The workshop, which took place from 18-20 August, reaffirmed ASEAN and Japan's shared commitment to bring technical cooperation directly to regional stakeholders. Following Timor-Leste's formal accession as ASEAN's 11th Member State in 26 October 26, institutional capacity-building initiatives are crucial as the country navigates its key responsibilities in 2026-the inaugural implementation year of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The intensive training brought together 53 government officials across 23 line ministries and institutions, equipping them with practical knowledge of project proposal design, project management, and the effective execution of JAIF-funded initiatives. The interactive programme was facilitated by a joint delegation from JMT and the ASEAN Secretariat's Programme Cooperation and Project Management Division (PCPMD).

Opening the workshop, Joao Martins, National Director for the ASEAN Political-Security Community at MNEC Timor-Leste, expressed deep appreciation for Japan's enduring support. "This three-day workshop marks a vital step in building our national capacity as Timor-Leste advances its full integration into the ASEAN family," Martins noted, emphasising the importance of equipping line agencies with critical project development skills.

Naoki Minamiguchi, Director of JMT, urged participants to use the clinic as a catalyst for ongoing regional cooperation. "This initiative is not only a learning opportunity, but also a platform for dialogue, reflection, and collaboration," said Minamiguchi. "The ideas and skills developed here will directly contribute to the success of Timor-Leste's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029 and beyond."

Participants also gained strategic insights from the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, with Second Secretary Dircea Morato Pinto and Third Secretary Lizete Xavier Sequeira outlining the role of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) in appraising and approving ASEAN Cooperation Project proposals.

Gil Cleofas da Silva, ASEAN Liaison Officer and Alternate IAI National Coordinator of MNEC, shared insights on the national coordination mechanism and the IAI-NDG projects. He emphasised that ASEAN National Secretariat-MNEC's role is to establish a single, coordinated communication channel for submitting the ASEAN Cooperation Project.

On the final day of the training, attendees presented draft project concepts to JMT and PCPMD experts, receiving immediate feedback on aligning activities, budgets, and objectives with ASEAN and JAIF guidelines.

Attendees praised the hands-on structure of the sessions, noting that the clinic significantly enhanced Timor-Leste's readiness to plan, secure, and execute high-impact ASEAN cooperation projects in partnership with Japan.

About JAIF: JAIF was established in March 2006 with the purpose of supporting ASEAN's integration efforts as well as promoting greater cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. The total contributions from Japan to date exceed USD 900 million. More than 627 projects have since been implemented in the areas of disaster management, counter-terrorism, maritime cooperation, economic integration, small and medium-sized enterprise development, youth exchanges, and other fields.

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Photo credit: Japan Management Team (JMT)